'Exclusive Travel Experience with Myanmar Tourism Services'

Tour code        : MTS-MHP-121
Tour Duration : 12 days / 11 nights
Route                : Yangon – Mandalay – Sagaing – Monywa –
                              Pakokku – Bagan – Pindaya – Inle lake – Heho –
                              Yangon
Vacation Type : Tour

This program is presented to you for your visit around Myanmar for its main tourist destinations. Explore from Yangon – the garden city and the main gate way to Myanmar to Mandalay – the culture canter and its environ, Amarapura – city of Immortality, Sagaing – the Place of Meditation and, Ava – no other capital has lasted as long, Monywa - famous for its caves- Po win Taung & Shwe Ba Taung, Bagan – the richest archeological sights in Asia, Pindaya - a cozy town and famous for its caves and Shan paper parasol and Inle – the tranquil lake of the leg rowers. You will find the local peoples and landscape beyond your imagination.

Charter boat from Mandalay to Mingun and Pakokku – Bagan are made of wood and traditionally built. It is pleasant, interesting trip with plenty to see along the way – fishing villages, bullock carts, corn fields, market boats, people doing their washing. Depend on the water level, the boat trip from Pakokku to Bagan takes about 5 hours from October to May.

The majority of overland in Myanmar is bumpy and not so good. However, our skillful drivers and experienced guides will take you along the way safely and we may stop in several places for shooting the photos or knowing the local people.

Transportation between each destination by domestic flight on Air Mandalay or Yangon Airways or Air Bagan (F-100 or ATR-72/42) can be done throughout the year.

Detailed Tour Program
 

Day 01: Arrival Yangon
Arrive Yangon international airport, welcome by tour guide. Transfer to the hotel for check in. Visit Chauk Htatt Kyi (the six storied in meaning but actually the huge reclining Buddha Image, Sule (the eight sided stupa located at the center of Yangon, the Independent Monument. And study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume) and Shwedagon Pagoda, famous worldwide – its golden stupa is the ‘ Heart ’ of Buddhism Myanmar. The Pagoda is believed to be 2,500 years old and the central stupa in surrounded by dozens of intricately decorated buildings and statues. Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 02: Yangon Mandalay Amarapura Ava Mandalay (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon International airport for flight to Mandalay. Mandalay, the commercial centre and cultural tourism site, was established in 1857 by King Mindon, Arrive at Tada Oo International airport and direct sightseeing to the ancient city of Amarapura. Visit to Mahagundayone Monastery to study the daily life of the monks observing Buddha scriptures, U Bein Wooden Bridge (1.2km long) across Taung Tha Man Lake. Proceed to Ava (Inwa). Sightseeing inclusive of Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery , the hand-made workshop industry producing lacquer alms for Monk. and then drive to Sagaing and visit Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which is the copy of Mahaceti Pagoda in Siri Lanka and Sagaing Hill the center of Meditation. Then drive to Mandalay and check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Mandalay Mingun Mandalay (B)
After early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the jetty to take a boat trip to Mingun. Visit Mingun Unfinished Pagoda, Mingun Bell, one of the world largest hanging bronze bells and Myatheindan Pagoda. After sightseeing in Mingun, sail back to Mandalay. Afternoon visit Mahamuni Buddha Image, Zegyo Market and some of Mandalay’s cottage industries, such as weaving and tapestry making, Burmese candy making, Bamboo fan making near Eindaw Yar Pagoda, Atumahsi Monastery and Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery), Kuthodaw (Maha Lawkamarazein Pagoda) which is famous as the world largest book of many stone slabs on which is inscribed the whole Buddhist Literature.. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight stay at hotel in Mandalay.

Day 04: Mandalay Sagaing Monywa (B)
After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Monywa. On the way, a visit to Sagaing Hills (21km south-east of Mandalay) and western bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river, Kaung Mu Daw Pagoda which is the copy of Mahaceti Pagoda in Siri Lanka. Tour continues to Monywa located in the Valley of Chindwin River and a pleasant destination for the visitors. Sightseeing inclusive of Thanbode where a half million of Buddha images exits. Bode Tahtaung where a thousand of Bo trees or Banyan trees and a 300 foot long reclining Buddha image would be visited. In the afternoon, cross Chindwin River and drive to Hpo Win Taung and Shwe Ba Taung by pick-up jeep or Hilux. Return back to Monywa. Overnight stay at hotel in Monywa.

Day 05: Monywa Pakokku Bagan (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pakokku – famous for cotton blanket. Visit local market, weaving industry, peanut snacks making cottage. And then transfer to the jetty cruise by charter private to Bagan situated in Central Myanmar, on the east bank of the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River. Arrive at Bagan in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel in Bagan.

Day 06: Bagan (B)
Option: Balloon Over Bagan (BOB)
It is a unique opportunity to see the Bagan with ‘BALLOONS OVER BAGAN’. You get a magnificent birds-eye view of thousand year-old pagodas, temples and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River as it has never been seen before. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 24 km/h. Eight/Six passengers plus a pilot fit into the balloon’s basket. The champagne flights at sunrise last just under an hour and take off daily from October through March. Price is US $ 250 / pax. Due to the limited capacity, advance bookings at an early stage are highly recommended.

After breakfast, start whole day sightseeing of Bagan’s most important temples and pagodas ranging from the temples with the earliest wall paintings to the prototype pagada the influenced the designs of later Buddhist monuments. Tour highlights include colorful Nyaung Oo Market, and Shwezigon Pagoda – built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine, then go to Ananda Temple – King Kyansittha’s masterpiece and the crowning achievement of the early style temple of architecture, next is Thatbyinnyu Temple – the highest building on the Bagan plain, after that visit to Htilominlo Temple – the largest temple of Bagn – noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations. In the afternoon observe the process of traditional lacquer ware, one of Myanmar’s best known handicrafts and a specialty of Bagan. Then visit Manuha Temple, Myingabar Gubyaugyi Temple – an early period Pyu-style temple of Hindu influence with some of the oldest mutual paintings in Bagan and Dhamanyangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Lastly watch sunset over the Ayeyarwaddy River from Buphaya or Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.

Day 07: Bagan (B)
After breakfast, visit tropical village to visit an old Noodle Cottage and observe the daily life the people in Taung Bi Village. Then visit Bupaya Pagoda, on the bank of majestic Ayeyarwady River and visit the Mahabodhi Temple, resemble of Mahabodi Temple in Bodaghaya. In the afternoon visit Abeyadana Temple, with very interesting paintings, showing a Mahayana influence; the Nagayon Temple, an elegant and well-preserved temple, built by King Kyanzittha; the Ashe & Anauk Pagoda, with hundreds of unglazed terracotta tiles illustrating scenes from the jatakas and Lowkananda Pagoda, built in 1059 by King Anawrahta. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Bagan Heho Pindaya (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to leave for Heho. Arrive at Heho Airport and drive to Pindaya (65 km). Sightseeing inclusive of Pindaya Cave with thousands of Buddha Images placed there by pilgrims over many centuries and Umbrella workshop which is made from pulp. Even stroll underneath the old Banyan trees which are said over 200 years. Take fresh breath and photos. Overnight stay at hotel in Pindaya.

Day 09: Pindaya   Inle (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing by foot around the Botaloke Lake and local market. Drive to Nyaung Shwe and transfer to hotel by boat to Inle Lake. Being located at the 900 meters above sea level, Inle Lake is the second largest natural lake in Myanmar with hazy blue mountains as backdrop. Afternoon, visit Indein Village, located at the western side of the lake. Passing Nyaung Ohak Monastery and follow a stair path lined up with many hundreds o wooden columns, you finally will reach the impressive Shwe Indein Pagoda Complex. From the hillside you have great view over the lake area. On the way back to the boat, walk through a romantic bamboo forest at the riverside, where you may observe local people having a bath. Afternoon continue sightseeing on the lake. Overnight in Inle lake region.

Day 10: Inle (B)
In the early morning, breakfast at hotel and visit Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, the most famous pagoda of the Shan State. Ywa-Ma village, gold and sliver smiths’ workshop. After lunch, visit Jumping Cat Monastery and floating gardens, local methods of fishing, village life and the famous leg rowers. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while visiting the Inle Lake by boat. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Inle   Heho Yangon (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the Heho Airport and flight back to Yangon. On the way to the hotel, visit Kabar Aye (the World Peace pagoda) and Maha Pasana (the great cave for Buddhist synod) and check in at the hotel. After lunch shopping at Bogyoke Market (Scott’s Market) of hundreds of shops where you can find local products such as Gems & Jewelry , slippers, cloth, and so on. Evening stroll along the China Town and study the ways of living of Yangon citizens (which can observe the tradition and modern costume). Overnight stay at hotel in Yangon.

Day 12: Departure Yangon (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Leisure till the flight time. Transfer to Yangon International Airport for your departure flight to conclude this unique experience.